Thursday, March 7, 2013

National Nutrition Month

Second
Harvest North Central Food Bank is proud to join the Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics during March in celebrating National Nutrition Month®.
This year’s National Nutrition Month theme is “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day”
and encourages consumers to develop a healthful eating plan that incorporates
individual food choices and preferences.

Here are
a few ways to “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day” from the food and nutrition experts
at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:

·Personalize your eating style: The easiest way to get the
nutrients your body needs is to eat healthy foods you enjoy. Finding
good-for-you foods that please your palette makes eating healthfully special
and exciting.

·Eat for your lifestyle: Athletic, vegetarian/vegan,
corporate and family lifestyles all have special nutritional needs, but eating
right can be easy and tasty with
attention to those foods that best help get you through the day.

·Incorporate cultural and ethnic
traditions: Foods
from around the globe often incorporate an abundance of unique, flavorful and
nourishing ingredients. Keep traditions alive and bring the world to your
family’s table.

·Keep health concerns in mind: A healthful eating plan can
help prevent and treat a variety of health concerns. With modification and
moderation, you can still enjoy many of your favorite foods while meeting your
nutritional needs and health goals.

·Make MyPlate your plate: Fill half of your plate with
your favorite fruits and vegetables; keep protein portions lean and about three
ounces; make at least half of your grain choices whole grains; and be sure to
include low-fat or fat-free dairy.

Initiated
in 1973 as a week-long event, “National Nutrition Week” became a month-long
observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition.
Additionally, to commemorate the dedication of RDs as advocates for advancing
the nutritional health of Americans and people around the world, the second
Wednesday of March has been designated “Registered Dietitian Day.” In 2013, RD
Day is celebrated on March 13.

As part
of this public education campaign, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ National
Nutrition Month website
includes a variety of helpful tips, fun games, promotional tools and nutrition
education resources, all designed to spread the message of good nutrition
around the “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day” theme.